Topacio mulls lawsuit vs 'daughter' Bea Binene

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines -- Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio has threatened to take to court his feud with young actress Bea Binene, following the refusal of the latter's camp to issue a public apology to him.

"Definitely," Topacio told ABS-CBN News on Thursday, when asked if he plans to pursue a legal case against Binene and her mother.

The lawyer's rift with his former clients stems from his filing of a child abuse case against radio personality Dan Christian Villanueva, supposedly on behalf of the Binenes.

The case, filed at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in September, is in connection with the alleged relationship between the 29-year-old disc jockey and 14-year-old Binene, a minor.

After reports of Topacio's legal move surfaced, the Binenes, however, expressed shock, saying that the filing of the case was done without their consent.

In a separate interview, the Binenes claimed that they had merely sought the legal advice of Topacio in the alleged altercation of the young actress with Villanueva, but that they did not give the lawyer a "go signal" to file any case.

"Para sa 'kin malaking kasiraan 'yun sa aking pangalan na pinagharapan naman natin i-build up through so many years," added the lawyer, who also represents former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel.

In a press conference held early this month, Topacio, referring to the Binenes disowning of his legal move against Villanueva, sought a public apology for the "adverse publicity."

"Hanggang ngayon ay hindi sila nag-aapologize at mukhang walang balak mag-apologize," Topacio said on Thursday, adding, "Wala po akong choice eh. Sana it did not have to come to this."
'Daughter I never had'

Referring to his plans to file a case against the Binenes, Topacio also expressed regret over his severed ties with Bea, "the daughter [he] never had."

He added, however, that he is ready to forgive should the other camp come forward, be it privately, with an apology.